This podcast is an audio supplement, meant to be played simultaneously with the film The Wicker Man (2006). We are watching the film via a US Blu-ray release. Streaming and rental options can be found here.
NOTE: There are two versions of this movie out there, which we did not realize until after we'd recorded this. They're identical except for the ending. The UNRATED version, which is the version that was released on Blu-ray (and that we are watching), has the alternate ending that includes the infamous "NOT THE BEES" scene. The theatrical cut, which is the one most widely available for digital rental, omits that sequence and includes a "SIX MONTHS LATER" final scene that isn't in the version we watched. Please make sure you are watching the UNRATED version if you can.
Our commentary begins at the film's 16 second mark. It's right before the Alcon Entertainment logo fades up.
@toxicantidote: Apologies for the situation here. Legit didn't realize there were two versions of this until after we'd finished recording and it's a real bummer the more interesting version of the movie isn't the one that's most widely available.
@toxicantidote: Apologies for the situation here. Legit didn't realize there were two versions of this until after we'd finished recording and it's a real bummer the more interesting version of the movie isn't the one that's most widely available.
Yeah I totally understand. The main problem is to figure out where the correct version is available. None of them are listed as either theatrical or unrated wherever I look. Only way is to rent it and hope for the best.
It's such a shame. The original Wicker Man was a pretty great weird and unsettling thriller... the thought of people watching this version first makes me sad.
If you aren't in a hurry to laugh along with the gang, I suggest seeking out the original film first, before this one ruins the plot points/twists.
@toxicantidote: FWIW the sites I've checked do typically show the Unrated version's box art where they have that version available. It looks like this.
@eloj: I also think I have the post credits scene, although there's no way of knowing as I didn't notice a "six months later" or anything. I don't want to watch an entirely out of sync Pal version either.
Guess I'll have to skip this one it's really a bit too finicky to try and find this version.
I watched this movie in the cinema when it came out and didnt know about the bee scene until the internet, i'm not sure if they took it out because it was too graphic, stupid or a combination of both but whoever decided to cut it fucked up.
This movie is so stupid. I don't know what happened here, but then Nick Cage also did that bizzarely stupid Left Behind movie, too. So, I guess he just loves to be in movies even when they're made by those of less than quality.
That being said the original Wicker Man film is bizarre in a different way and a good watch if you like classic UK horror. Which is slow paced, but well worth it and if I recall Christopher Lee was in that and gave a fantastic performance. It's not for everybody, but it is a good film.
This one, on the other hand, is... a different kind of classic.
The original film, starring Edward Woodward, Brit Ekland (who often appears naked, although has an arse double) and Christopher Lee, is a masterpiece. It is a brilliant film for many reasons. If you haven't already seen it, please watch it instead of this shite.
So that shot of those women taking off those masks that you were all "whatever" about, those were the mother and daughter from the car in the beginning and for some reason Malus' cop friend which makes no goddamn sense whatsoever.
Start it from 1:34:36 in the podcast. Be sure to press play on the movie after the clip ends to get the super great ending for the theatrical version (notice the bee sounds in the background, wtf...)
I hope I got that timing right, it's tricky to move around exactly to where you like with this podcast player.
If the plan all along was to get Nicholas Cage to the island, why did they kill the pilot for bringing him there? Maybe to get rid of witnesses, but now they have no one to bring them food. And besides it's not like no one else knows he went to the island. Flawless movie besides that small detail though.
I have the wrong version and starting the movie from the very start instead of 16 seconds and playing when Alex says go (4:09), it syncs up pretty close at the start.
I have so far found the Unrated version digitally available from Microsoft, Google Play, and Amazon, but only for purchase ($10-$13) and NOT for rent. What a buzzkill. With that said I'll go ahead and also admit that the Unrated version is also difficult to find illicit copies of. It must be *bad*.
So apparently I was watching the normal (not unrated) version, but for some reason the subtitles on the file were for the unrated version. So once it got to the end point the audio/video didn't match what the giantbomb crew was talking about, but the subtitles did match what they were talking about. Really weird.
Wow, this was actually a better movie than I was expecting? I was expecting trash but this was... okay! It's got that weird creepy/comedy vibe and it fits that Angelo Badalamenti did the sound track. Not a great movie, but consistent in tone and entertaining.
Maybe I've been watching too much Twin Peaks but I find it plausible that they weren't taking this completely seriously during production. The scenes where he's running around in the bear suit are just too tongue-in-cheek.
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